Treatment of central nervous system disorders

ABSTRACT

A method for treating a patient suffering from disorders and deficits of the central nervous system associated with diabetes, associated with aging and neurodegeneration, comprising attention deficit disorder in general, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer&#39;s disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment, senile dementia, AIDS dementia, neurodegeneration, depression, and schizophrenia, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of a selective inhibitor of the 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Type 1 enzyme activity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/195,937, filed on Aug. 21, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/697,044, filed on Apr. 5, 2007, which is now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,435,833, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/790,141, filed on Apr. 7, 2006; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/195,937 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/957,082, filed Aug. 21, 2007, the contents of all of which are herein fully incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a treatment of central nervous system disorders, cognitive deficits and dementias associated with a diversity of conditions, including age-related or glucocorticoid-related declines in cognitive function such as those seen in Alzheimer's and associated dementias, major depressive disorder, psychotic depression, anxiety, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, depression in Cushing's syndrome, and treatment resistant depression, using 11β-HSD1 inhibitors.

11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Type 1 enzyme (11β-HSD-1) is a low affinity enzyme with K_(m) for cortisone in the micromolar range that prefers NADPH/NADP⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) as cofactors. 11β-HSD-1 is widely expressed and particularly high expression levels are found in liver, brain, lung, adipose tissue, and vascular smooth muscle cells. In vitro studies indicate that 11β-HSD-1 is capable of acting both as a reductase and a dehydrogenase. However, many studies have shown that it functions primarily as a reductase in vivo and in intact cells. It converts inactive 11-ketoglucocorticoids (i.e., cortisone or dehydrocorticosterone) to active 11-hydroxyglucocorticoids (i.e., cortisol or corticosterone), and thereby amplifies glucocorticoid action in a tissue-specific manner.

11β-HSD-1 is expressed in mammalian brain, and published data indicates that elevated levels of glucocorticoids may cause neuronal degeneration and dysfunction, particularly in the aged (de Quervain et al.; Hum Mol Genet. Vol. 13 pages 47-52, 2004; Belanoff et al. J. Psychiatr Res. Vol. 35, pages 127-35, 2001). Evidence in rodents and humans suggests that prolonged elevation of plasma glucocorticoid levels impairs cognitive function that becomes more profound with aging. (See, A. M. Issa et al., J. Neurosci. Vol. 10, pages 3247-3254, 1990; S. J. Lupien et. al., Nat. Neurosci., Vol. 1, pages 69-73, 1998; J. L. Yau et al. Neuroscience, Vol. 66, pages 571-581, 1995). Chronic excessive cortisol levels in the brain may result in neuronal loss and neuronal dysfunction. (See, D. S. Kerr et al., Psychobiology, Vol. 22 pages 123-133, 1994, C. Woolley, Brain Res. Vol. 531 pages 225-231, 1990, P. W. Landfield, Science, Vol. 272 pages 1249-1251, 1996). Furthermore, glucocorticoid-induced acute psychosis exemplifies a more pharmacological induction of this response, and is of major concern to physicians when treating patients with these steroidal agents (Wolkowitz et al.; Ann NY Acad Sci. Vol. 1032 pages 191-194, 2004). It has been recently shown that 11β-HSD-1 mRNA is expressed in human hippocampus, frontal cortex and cerebellum, and that treatment of elderly diabetic individuals with the non-selective 11β-HSD-1 and 11β-HSD-2 inhibitor carbenoxolone improved verbal fluency and memory (Thekkapat et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. Vol. 101, pages 6743-6749, 2004). Excessive glucocorticoid levels also affects psychopathology, as shown in animal models, it leads to increased anxiety and aggression. Chronic elevation of cortisol has been also associated with depression in Cushing's disease (McEwen, Metab. Clin. & Exp. Vol. 54, pages 20-23 (2005)). A number of animal and clinical studies have provided evidence for the correlation between increases in glucocorticoid levels and neuropsychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder, psychotic depression, anxiety, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and depression in Cushing's syndrome (Budziszcwska, Polish J. of Pharmacol. Vol. 54 pages 343-349, 2002; Ströhle and Holboer, Pharmacopsychiatry Vol. 36 pages S207-S214, 2003; DeBattista and Belanoff, TRENDS in Endocr. Metab., Vol. 17 pages 117-120, 2006; Norman and Burrows, Expert Rev. Neurotherapeutics Vol. 7, pages 203-213, 2007).

The compounds disclosed in the present application are selective inhibitors of 11β-HSD-1 as described in U.S. patent application publication Nos. 2005/0277747, 2006/0281773, and 2006/0149070, and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/697,044, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. These compounds are useful in the treatment of non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, lipid disorders, metabolic syndrome, and other diseases and conditions that are mediated by excessive glucocorticoid action.

The present application describes the utility of these selective inhibitors of 11β-HSD-1 in the treatment of central nervous system disorders, age-related or glucocorticoid-related declines in cognitive function such as those seen in Alzheimer's and associated dementias, major depressive disorder, psychotic depression, anxiety, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, depression in Cushing's syndrome, and treatment resistant depression.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the results of memory consolidation in treated and untreated mice measured as Mean Transfer Latency.

FIG. 2 depicts amount of phosphorylation of CREB in treated and untreated mice.

FIG. 3 shows the results of memory consolidation in treated and untreated mice measured as Mean Transfer Latency.

FIG. 4 shows the results of short memory retention in treated and untreated mice measured as Mean Transfer Latency.

FIGS. 5 a-5 c show REM episodes, time and latency to first episode, respectively, on rat treated with an exemplary 11β-HSD-1 inhibitor.

FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 6 c show the effects of an exemplary 11β-HSD-1 inhibitor on cortical and hippocampal Ach release.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b show the effects of an exemplary 11β-HSD-1 inhibitor on cortical and hippocampal 5-HT release.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's are currently treated with acetylcholine esterase inhibitors such as donepezil or NMDA antagonists such as memantine. The efficacy is minimal and short-lived. There is currently no treatment available that will halt or slow the degenerative progression of the disease.

Cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia are minimally treated with atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine. There is no adequate treatment for these deficits.

11β-HSD1 ligands regulate central glucocorticoid functioning, which in turn has a significant role in cognitive disorders, stress and mood disorders, schizophrenia and related psychoses, etc. Significant evidence indicates that selective HSD-1 inhibitors will protect against age- or glucocorticoid-related declines in cognitive function such as those seen in Alzheimer's and associated dementias. In addition, evidence implicates excessive glucocorticoids as a risk factor in the development and progression of schizophrenia and indicates that cognitive deficits seen in the disorder are linked to abnormalities in glucocorticoid regulation. Thus, ligands that regulate glucocorticoid levels such as 11β-HSD1 inhibitors can provide useful treatment for these disorders by enhancing cognitive function and delaying disease progression in patients with Alzheimer's, schizophrenia or related disorders. For example, it has been shown that a non-selective 11βHSD1 inhibitors like carbenoxolone improves cognitive function in humans, however the liability of adverse cardiovascular effects liability in particular hypertension, diminishes the value of non-selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitors as useful therapeutic agents. The compounds described in U.S. patent application publication Nos. 2005/0277747, 2006/0281773, and 2006/0149070, and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/697,044, are selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitors. As demonstrated below, these compounds significantly enhance cognitive functioning and induce biochemical events necessary for synaptic plasticity in preclinical species.

Unlike currently available medications for cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's and related dementias, 11β-HSD1 inhibitors such as those in the series described have the potential to be both symptom alleviating and disease modifying. In addition, unlike current treatments such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors that target neurochemical systems that are deteriorating with the progression of Alzheimer's, a fact that may underlie their short-lived efficacy, 11β-HSD1 inhibitors target a system that is upregulated during aging thereby suggesting they will not lose potency or efficacy over time.

Unlike currently available antipsychotics that have very limited efficacy against the cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia and related disorders, 11β-HSD1 inhibitors such as those in the series described have the potential to meaningfully alleviate cognitive deficits as well as slow the progressive deterioration in function in schizophrenic patients.

Even if antidepressant drugs remain one of the principal form of treatment for depressive disorders, compounds such as 11β-HSD1 inhibitors represent a potential novel therapeutic strategy to treat all forms of depression, including depression resistant to antidepressant therapies.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

The term “alkenyl” as used herein, refers to a straight or branched chain hydrocarbon containing from 2 to 10 carbons and containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond formed by the removal of two hydrogens. Representative examples of alkenyl include, but are not limited to, ethenyl, 2-propenyl, 2-methyl-2-propenyl, 3-butenyl, 4-pentenyl, 5-hexenyl, 2-heptenyl, 2-methyl-1-heptenyl, and 3-decenyl. Alkenyls of the present invention can be unsubstituted or substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl and aryloxycarbonyl.

The term “alkoxy” as used herein, refers to an alkyl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an oxygen atom. Representative examples of alkoxy include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 2-propoxy, butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentyloxy and hexyloxy.

The term “alkoxyalkyl” as used herein, refers to an alkoxy group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of alkoxyalkyl include, but are not limited to, tert-butoxymethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, 2-methoxyethyl and methoxymethyl.

The term “alkoxycarbonyl” as used herein, refers to an alkoxy group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of alkoxycarbonyl include, but are not limited to, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl and tert-butoxycarbonyl.

The term “alkyl” as used herein, refers to a straight or branched chain hydrocarbon containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Representative examples of alkyl include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, n-hexyl, 3-methylhexyl, 2,2-dimethylpentyl, 2,3-dimethylpentyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl and n-decyl.

The term “alkylcarbonyl” as used herein, refers to an alkyl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of alkylcarbonyl include, but are not limited to, acetyl, 1-oxopropyl, 2,2-dimethyl-1-oxopropyl, 1-oxobutyl and 1-oxopentyl.

The term “alkylsulfonyl” as used herein, refers to an alkyl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a sulfonyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of alkylsulfonyl include, but are not limited to, methylsulfonyl and ethylsulfonyl.

The term “alkyl-NH” as used herein, refers to an alkyl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a nitrogen atom.

The term “alkyl-NH-alkyl” as used herein, refers to an alkyl-NH group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group, as defined herein.

The term “aryl” as used herein, means a phenyl group, or a bicyclic or a tricyclic fused ring system. Bicyclic fused ring systems are exemplified by a phenyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety and fused to a cycloalkyl group, as defined herein, a phenyl group, a heteroaryl group, as defined herein, or a heterocycle, as defined herein. Tricyclic fused ring systems are exemplified by an aryl bicyclic fused ring system, as defined herein and fused to a cycloalkyl group, as defined herein, a phenyl group, a heteroaryl group, as defined herein, or a heterocycle, as defined herein. Representative examples of aryl include, but are not limited to, anthracenyl, azulenyl, fluorenyl, indanyl, indenyl, naphthyl, phenyl and tetrahydronaphthyl.

The aryl groups of this invention may be optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selected from alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkoxy, arylcarbonyl, aryloxy, arylsulfonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cyano, cyanoalkyl, ethylenedioxy, formyl, haloalkoxy, haloalkyl, halogen, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclecarbonyl, heterocycleoxy, heterocyclesulfonyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, R_(f)R_(g)N—, R_(f)R_(g)Nalkyl, R_(f)R_(g)Ncarbonyl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)(alkyl), and R_(f)R_(g)Nsulfonyl, wherein R_(f) and R_(g), are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkylcarbonyl and cycloalkylalkyl wherein the cycloalkyl, the cycloalkyl of cycloalkylalkyl as represented by R_(f) and R_(g) are each independently unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl and haloalkyl. The substituent aryl, the aryl of arylalkoxy, the awl of arylcarbonyl, the awl of aryloxy, the aryl of arylsulfonyl, the substituent heteroaryl, the heteroaryl of heteroarylalkyl, the heteroaryl of heteroarylcarbonyl, the substituent heterocycle, the heterocycle of heterocyclecarbonyl, the heterocycle of heterocycleoxy, the heterocycle of heterocyclesulfonyl may be optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkynyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cyano, haloalkyl, halogen, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, R_(f)R_(g)N—, R_(f)R_(g)Nalkyl, R_(f)R_(g)Ncarbonyl and R_(f)R_(g)Nsulfonyl wherein R_(f) and R_(g) are as described herein.

The term “arylalkenyl” as used herein, refers to an aryl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkenyl group, as defined herein.

The term “arylalkoxy” as used herein, refers to an aryl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkoxy group, as defined herein.

The term “arylalkyl” as used herein, refers to an aryl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of arylalkyl include, but are not limited to, benzyl, 2-phenylethyl, 3-phenylpropyl and 2-naphth-2-ylethyl.

The term “arylcarbonyl” as used herein, refers to an aryl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of arylcarbonyl include, but are not limited to, benzoyl and naphthoyl.

The term “aryl-heterocycle,” as used herein, refers to an aryl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a heterocycle group, as defined herein.

The term “aryl-NH—,” as used herein, refers to an aryl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a nitrogen atom.

The term “aryl-NH-alkyl,” as used herein, refers to an aryl-NH— group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group, as defined herein.

The term “aryloxy,” as used herein, refers to an aryl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an oxy moiety, as defined herein. Representative examples of aryloxy include, but are not limited to phenoxy, naphthyloxy, 3-bromophenoxy, 4-chlorophenoxy, 4-methylphenoxy, and 3,5-dimethoxyphenoxy.

The term “aryloxyalkyl,” as used herein, refers to an aryloxy group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group, as defined herein.

The term “aryloxycarbonyl” as used herein, refers to an aryloxy group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, as defined herein.

The term “arylsulfonyl,” as used herein, refers to an aryl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a sulfonyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of arylsulfonyl include, but are not limited to, phenylsulfonyl, 4-bromophenylsulfonyl and naphthylsulfonyl.

The term “carbonyl” as used herein refers to a —C(O)— group.

The term “carboxy” as used herein refers to a —C(O)—OH group.

The term “carboxyalkyl” as used herein refers to a carboxy group as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group as defined herein.

The term “carboxycycloalkyl” as used herein refers to a carboxy group as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an cycloalkyl group as defined herein.

The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein, refers to a monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic ring system. Monocyclic ring systems are exemplified by a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon group containing from 3 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of monocyclic ring systems include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and cyclooctyl. Bicyclic fused ring systems are exemplified by a cycloalkyl group appended to the parent molecular moiety and fused to a cycloalkyl group, as defined herein, a phenyl group, a heteroaryl group, as defined herein, or a heterocycle, as defined herein. Tricyclic fused ring systems are exemplified by a cycloalkyl bicyclic fused ring system, as defined herein and fused to a cycloalkyl group, as defined herein, a phenyl group, a heteroaryl group, as defined herein, or a heterocycle, as defined herein. Bicyclic ring systems are also exemplified by a bridged monocyclic ring system in which two non-adjacent carbon atoms of the monocyclic ring are linked by an alkylene bridge of between one and three additional carbon atoms. Representative examples of bicyclic ring systems include, but are not limited to, bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, bicyclo[3.2.2]nonane, bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane and bicyclo[4.2.1]nonane. Tricyclic ring systems are also exemplified by a bicyclic ring system in which two non-adjacent carbon atoms of the bicyclic ring are linked by a bond or an alkylene bridge of between one and three carbon atoms. Representative examples of tricyclic-ring systems include, but are not limited to, tricyclo[3.3.1.0^(3,7)]nonane and tricyclo[3.3.1.1^(3,7)]decane (adamantane).

The cycloalkyl groups of this invention may be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selected from alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylcarbonyl, aryloxy, arylsulfonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cyano, cyanoalkyl, cycloalkyl, ethylenedioxy, formyl, haloalkoxy, haloalkyl, halogen, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocyclecarbonyl, heterocycleoxy, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, R_(f)R_(g)N—, R_(f)R_(g)Nalkyl, R_(f)R_(g)Ncarbonyl and R_(f)R_(g)Nsulfonyl, wherein R_(f) and R_(g) are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkylcarbonyl and cycloalkylalkyl wherein the cycloalkyl, the cycloalkyl of cycloalkylalkyl as represented by R_(f) and R_(g) are each independently unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl and haloalkyl. The substituent aryl, the aryl of arylalkyl, the aryl of arylcarbonyl, the aryl of aryloxy, the aryl of arylsulfonyl, the substituent heteroaryl, the heteroaryl of heteroarylalkyl, the heteroaryl of heteroarylcarbonyl, the substituent heterocycle, the heterocycle of heterocyclealkyl, the heterocycle of heterocyclecarbonyl, the heterocycle of heterocycleoxy, the heterocycle of heterocyclesulfonyl may be optionally substituted with 0, 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkynyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cyano, haloalkyl, halogen, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, R_(f)R_(g)N—, R_(f)R_(g)Nalkyl, R_(f)R_(g)Ncarbonyl and R_(f)R_(g)Nsulfonyl wherein R_(f) and R_(g) are as described herein.

The term “cycloalkylalkyl” as used herein, refers to a cycloalkyl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of cycloalkylalkyl include, but are not limited to, cyclopropylmethyl, 2-cyclobutylethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl and 4-cycloheptylbutyl.

The term “cycloalkylcarbonyl” as used herein, refers to cycloalkyl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of cycloalkylcarbonyl include, but are not limited to, cyclopropylcarbonyl, 2-cyclobutylcarbonyl and cyclohexylcarbonyl.

The term “cycloalkyloxy” as used herein, refers to cycloalkyl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an oxy group, as defined herein.

The term “cycloalkylsulfonyl” as used herein, refers to cycloalkyl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a sulfonyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of cycloalkylsulfonyl include, but are not limited to, cyclohexylsulfonyl and cyclobutylsulfonyl.

The term “halo” or “halogen” as used herein, refers to —Cl, —Br, —I or —F.

The term “haloalkyl” as used herein, refers to at least one halogen, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of haloalkyl include, but are not limited to, chloromethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethyl and 2-chloro-3-fluoropentyl.

The term “haloalkylcarbonyl” as used herein, refers to a haloalkyl group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, as defined herein.

The term “heteroaryl” as used herein, refers to an aromatic monocyclic ring or an aromatic bicyclic ring system. The aromatic monocyclic rings are five or six membered rings containing at least one heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of N, O and S. The five membered aromatic monocyclic rings have two double bonds and the six membered aromatic monocyclic rings have three double bonds. The bicyclic heteroaryl groups are exemplified by a monocyclic heteroaryl ring appended to the parent molecular moiety and fused to a monocyclic cycloalkyl group, as defined herein, a monocyclic aryl group, as defined herein, a monocyclic heteroaryl group, as defined herein, or a monocyclic heterocycle, as defined herein. Representative examples of heteroaryl include, but are not limited to, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothienyl, benzoxazolyl, furyl, imidazolyl, indazolyl, indolyl, indolizinyl, isobenzofuranyl, isoindolyl, isoxazolyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolyl, naphthyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, oxazolyl, phthalazinyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, quinolinyl, quinolizinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, tetrazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, triazolyl and triazinyl.

The term “heteroarylalkyl” as used herein, refers to a heteroaryl, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group, as defined herein.

The heteroaryls of this invention may be optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylcarbonyl, aryloxy, arylsulfonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cyano, cyanoalkyl, cycloalkyl, ethylenedioxy, formyl, haloalkoxy, haloalkyl, halogen, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocyclecarbonyl, heterocycleoxy, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, R_(f)R_(g)N—, R_(f)R_(g)Nalkyl, R_(f)R_(g)Ncarbonyl and R_(f)R_(g)Nsulfonyl, wherein R_(f) and R_(g) are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkylcarbonyl and cycloalkylalkyl wherein the cycloalkyl, the cycloalkyl of cycloalkylalkyl as represented by R_(f) and R_(g) are each independently unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl and haloalkyl. The substituent aryl, the aryl of arylalkyl, the aryl of arylcarbonyl, the aryl of aryloxy, the aryl of arylsulfonyl, the substituent heteroaryl, the heteroaryl of heteroarylalkyl, the substituent heterocycle, the heterocycle of heterocyclealkyl, the heterocycle of heterocyclecarbonyl, the heterocycle of heterocycleoxy may be optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkynyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cyano, haloalkyl, halogen, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, R_(f)R_(g)N—, R_(f)R_(g)Nalkyl, R_(f)R_(g)Ncarbonyl and R_(f)R_(g)Nsulfonyl wherein R_(f) and R_(g) are as described above.

The term “heterocycle” as used herein, refers to a non-aromatic monocyclic ring or a non-aromatic bicyclic ring. The non-aromatic monocyclic ring is a three, four, five, six, seven, or eight membered ring containing at least one heteroatom, independently selected from the group consisting of N, O and S. Representative examples of monocyclic ring systems include, but are not limited to, azetidinyl, aziridinyl, diazepinyl, dithianyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, isothiazolinyl, isoxazolinyl, isoxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, oxazolinyl, oxazolidinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pyranyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydro-2H-pyranyl, tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl, tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl, tetrahydrothienyl, thiazolinyl, thiazolidinyl, thiomorpholinyl, 1,1-dioxidothiomorpholinyl (thiomorpholine sulfone) and thiopyranyl. The bicyclic heterocycles are exemplified by a monocyclic heterocycle appended to the parent molecular moiety and fused to a monocyclic cycloalkyl group, as defined herein, a monocyclic awl group, a monocyclic heteroaryl group, as defined herein, or a monocyclic heterocycle, as defined herein. Bicyclic ring systems are also exemplified by a bridged monocyclic ring system in which two non-adjacent atoms of the monocyclic ring are linked by a bridge of between one and three additional atoms selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. Bicyclic ring systems are exemplified by any of the above monocyclic ring systems fused to a phenyl group, a monocyclic cycloalkenyl group, as defined herein, a monocyclic cycloalkyl group, as defined herein, or an additional monocyclic heterocycle group, as defined herein. Representative examples of bicyclic ring systems include, but are not limited to, benzodioxinyl, benzodioxolyl, benzopyranyl, benzothiopyranyl, 2,3-dihydroindol-3-yl, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-3-yl, 2,3-dihydrobenzothien-3-yl, 2,3-dihydroisoindol-3-yl, 1,3-dihydro-isobenzofuran-3-yl, 1,3-dihydro-benzo[c]thien-3-yl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, 3-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptyl, 3,6-diazabicyclo[3.2.0]heptyl, octahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrrolyl, hexahydro-1H-furo[3,4-c]pyrrolyl, cinnolinyl, 1,5-diazocanyl, 3,9-diaza-bicyclo[4.2.1]non-9-yl, 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, octahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[c]azepine, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b]azepine, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[d]azepine, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl and octahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrolyl. The monocyclic or bicyclic ring systems as defined herein can have two of the non-adjacent carbon atoms connected by a heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an alkylene bridge of between one and three additional carbon atoms. Representative examples of monocyclic or bicyclic ring systems that contain such connection between two non-adjacent carbon atoms include, but are not limited to, 2-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octyl, 2-oxa-5-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octyl, 2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octyl, 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl, 2-oxa-5-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl, 2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl, 2-azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexyl, 5-azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexyl, 3-azabicyclo[3.1.1]heptyl, 6-oxa-3-azabicyclo[3.1.1]heptyl, 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-8-yl, 3-oxa-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, 1,4-diazabicyclo[3.2.2]nonyl, 1,4-diazatricyclo[4.3.1.1^(3,8)]undecyl, 3,10-diazabicyclo[4.3.1]decyl, 8-oxa-3-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, octahydro-1H-4,7-methanoisoindolyl, and octahydro-1H-4,7-epoxyisoindolyl. The heterocycle groups of the invention are substituted or unsubstituted, and are connected to the parent molecular moiety through any substitutable carbon or nitrogen atom in the groups. The nitrogen heteroatom can or cannot be quaternized, and the nitrogen or sulfur heteroatom can or cannot be oxidized. In addition, the nitrogen including heterocyclic rings can or cannot be N-protected.

The heterocycles of this invention may be optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylcarbonyl, aryloxy, arylsulfonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cyano, cyano alkyl, ethylenedioxy, formyl, haloalkoxy, haloalkyl, halogen, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocyclecarbonyl, heterocycleoxy, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, R_(f)R_(g)N—, R_(f)R_(g)Nalkyl, R_(f)R_(g)Ncarbonyl and R_(f)R_(g)Nsulfonyl, wherein R_(f) and R_(g) are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkylcarbonyl and cycloalkylalkyl wherein the cycloalkyl, the cycloalkyl of cycloalkylalkyl as represented by R_(f) and R_(g) are each independently unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl and haloalkyl. The substituent aryl, the aryl of arylalkyl, the aryl of arylcarbonyl, the aryl of aryloxy, the aryl of arylsulfonyl, the heteroaryl, the heteroaryl of heteroarylalkyl, the substituent heterocycle, the heterocycle of heterocyclealkyl, the heterocycle of heterocyclecarbonyl, the heterocycle of heterocycleoxy, may be optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkynyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cyano, haloalkyl, halogen, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, R_(f)R_(g)—, R_(f)R_(g)Nalkyl, R_(f)R_(g)Ncarbonyl and R_(f)R_(g)Nsulfonyl wherein R_(f) and R_(g) are as described herein.

The term “heterocyclealkyl” as used herein, refers to a heterocycle, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of heterocyclealkyl include, but are not limited to, pyridin-3-ylmethyl and 2-pyrimidin-2-ylpropyl.

The term “heterocyclealkoxy” as used herein, refers to a heterocycle, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkoxy group, as defined herein.

The term “heterocycleoxy” as used herein, refers to a heterocycle, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an oxy group, as defined herein.

The term “heterocycleoxyalkyl” as used herein, refers to a heterocycleoxy, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group, as defined herein.

The term “heterocycle-NH—” as used herein, refers to a heterocycle, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a nitrogen atom.

The term “heterocycle-NH-alkyl” as used herein, refers to a heterocycle-NH—, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group, as defined herein.

The term “heterocyclecarbonyl” as used herein, refers to a heterocycle, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of heterocyclecarbonyl include, but are not limited to, 1-piperidinylcarbonyl, 4-morpholinylcarbonyl, pyridin-3-ylcarbonyl and quinolin-3-ylcarbonyl.

The term “heterocyclesulfonyl” as used herein, refers to a heterocycle, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through a sulfonyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of heterocyclesulfonyl include, but are not limited to, 1-piperidinylsulfonyl, 4-morpholinylsulfonyl, pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl and quinolin-3-ylsulfonyl.

The term “hydroxy” as used herein, refers to an —OH group.

The term “hydroxyalkyl” as used herein, refers to a hydroxy group, as defined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group, as defined herein. Representative examples of hydroxyalkyl include, but are not limited to, hydroxymethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl and 2-ethyl-4-hydroxyheptyl.

The term “oxo” as used herein, refers to a ═O group.

The term “oxy” as used herein, refers to a —O— group.

The compounds of the present invention can exist as therapeutically acceptable salts. The term “therapeutically acceptable salt,” refers to salts or zwitterions of the compounds that are water or oil-soluble or dispersible, suitable for treatment of disorders without undue toxicity, irritation and allergic response, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio and effective for their intended use. The salts can be prepared during the final isolation and purification of the compounds or separately by reacting an amino group of the compounds with a suitable acid. For example, a compound can be dissolved in a suitable solvent, such as, but not limited to, methanol and water, and treated with at least one equivalent of an acid such as hydrochloric acid. The resulting salt can precipitate out and be isolated by filtration and dried under reduced pressure. Alternatively, the solvent and excess acid can be removed under reduced pressure to provide the salt. Representative salts include acetate, adipate, alginate, citrate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, bisulfate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, digluconate, glycerophosphate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, formate, isethionate, fumarate, lactate, maleate, methanesulfonate, naphthylenesulfonate, nicotinate, oxalate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, picrate, oxalate, maleate, pivalate, propionate, succinate, tartrate, trichloroacetate, trifluoroacetate, glutamate, para-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, phosphoric, and the like. The amino groups of the compounds can also be quaternized with alkyl chlorides, bromides, and iodides such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, lauryl, myristyl, stearyl, and the like.

Basic addition salts can be prepared during the final isolation and purification of the present compounds by reaction of a carboxyl group with a suitable base such as the hydroxide, carbonate, or bicarbonate of a metal cation such as lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, or aluminum, or an organic primary, secondary, or tertiary amine Quaternary amine salts derived from methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, diethylamine, ethylamine, tributylamine, pyridine, N,N-dimethylaniline, N-methylpiperidine, N-methylmorpholine, dicyclohexylamine, procaine, dibenzylamine, N,N-dibenzylphenethylamine, 1-ephenamine and N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, ethylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, piperidine, piperazine and the like, are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug,” refers to those prodrugs or zwitterions, which are suitable for use in contact with the tissues of patients without undue toxicity, irritation, and allergic response, are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio, and are effective for their intended use. The term “prodrug,” refers to compounds that are rapidly transformed in vivo to the parent compounds of formula (I), for example, by hydrolysis in blood. The term “prodrug,” refers to compounds that contain, but are not limited to, substituents known as “therapeutically acceptable esters.” The term “therapeutically acceptable ester” refers to alkoxycarbonyl groups appended to the parent molecule on an available carbon atom. More specifically, a “therapeutically acceptable ester” refers to alkoxycarbonyl groups appended to the parent molecule on one or more available aryl, cycloalkyl, and/or heterocycle groups as defined herein. Examples of prodrug ester groups include pivaloyloxymethyl, acetoxymethyl, phthalidyl, indanyl and methoxymethyl, as well as other such groups known in the art. Other examples of prodrug ester groups are found in T. Higuchi and V. Stella, Pro-drugs as Novel Delivery Systems, Vol. 14 of the A.C.S. Symposium Series and in Edward B. Roche, ed., Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design, American Pharmaceutical Association and Pergamon Press, 1987, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” refers to a sufficient amount of a compound of formula (I) to effectively ameliorate disorders by inhibiting 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Type 1 enzyme at a reasonable benefit/risk ratio applicable to any medical treatment. The specific therapeutically effective dose level for any particular patient can depend upon a variety of factors including the disorder being treated and the severity of the disorder; the activity of the compound employed; the specific composition employed; the age, body weight, general health, sex, and diet of the patient; the time of administration, route of administration, rate of excretion; the duration of the treatment; and drugs used in combination or coincidental therapy.

METHODS OF THE INVENTION

Compounds and compositions of the invention are useful for treating central nervous system disorders, cognitive deficits and dementias associated with a diversity of conditions, including age-related or glucocorticoid-related declines in cognitive function such as those seen in Alzheimer's and associated dementias, major depressive disorder, psychotic depression, anxiety, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, depression in Cushing's syndrome, and treatment resistant depression.

The compounds of the invention, including but not limited to those specified in the examples, are selective inhibitors of 11β-HSD-1. 11β-HSD-1 is expressed in mammalian brain, and published data indicates that elevated levels of glucocorticoids may cause neuronal degeneration and dysfunction, particularly in the aged (de Quervain et al.; Hum Mol Genet. Vol. 13 pages 47-52, 2004; Belanoff et al. J. Psychiatr Res. Vol. 35, pages 127-35, 2001). In addition, chronic excessive cortisol levels in the brain may result in neuronal loss and neuronal dysfunction. (See, D. S. Kerr et al., Psychobiology, Vol. 22 pages 123-133, 1994, C. Woolley, Brain Res. Vol. 531 pages 225-231, 1990, P. W. Landfield, Science, Vol. 272 pages 1249-1251, 1996). As such, the 11β-HSD-1 inhibitors disclosed herein, are suitable for the treatment of cognitive disorders including, for example, Alzheimer's and associated dementias.

It has been recently shown that 11β-HSD-1 mRNA is expressed in human hippocampus, frontal cortex and cerebellum, and that treatment of elderly diabetic individuals with the non-selective 11β-HSD-1 and 11β-HSD-2 inhibitor carbenoxolone improved verbal fluency and memory (Thekkapat et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. Vol. 101, pages 6743-6749, 2004). Therefore, the 11β-HSD-1 inhibitors disclosed herein can counter the memory and expression deficits of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Excessive glucocorticoid levels also affects psychopathology, as shown in animal models, it leads to increased anxiety and aggression. Chronic elevation of cortisol has been also associated with depression in Cushing's disease (McEwen, Metab. Clin. & Exp. Vol. 54, pages 20-23 (2005)). A number of animal and clinical studies have provided evidence for the correlation between increases in glucocorticoid levels and neuropsychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder, psychotic depression, anxiety, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and depression in Cushing's syndrome (Budziszewska, Polish J. of Pharmacol. Vol. 54 pages 343-349, 2002; Ströhle and Holboer, Pharmacopsychiatry Vol. 36 pages S207-S214, 2003; DeBattista and Belanoff, TRENDS in Endocr. Metab., Vol. 17 pages 117-120, 2006; Norman and Burrows, Expert Rev. Neurotherapeutics Vol. 7, pages 203-213, 2007). As such, the 11β-HSD-1 inhibitors disclosed herein are suitable for the treatment of major depressive disorder, psychotic depression, anxiety, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression in Cushing's syndrome, and treatment resistant depression.

COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION

The selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitors discussed in the present application can be selected from a group of compounds having formula (I),

wherein

A¹ is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkyl-NH-alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylcarbonyl, arylsulfonyl, heterocyclecarbonyl, heterocyclesulfonyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, —NR⁷—[C(R⁸R⁹)]_(n)—C(O)—R¹⁰, —O—[C(R¹¹R¹²)]_(p)—C(O)—R¹³, —OR¹⁴, —N(R¹⁵R¹⁶), —CO₂R¹⁷, —C(O)—N(R¹⁸R¹⁹), —C(R²⁰R²¹)—OR²², and —C(R²³R²⁴)—N(R²⁵R²⁶);

R¹ and R² are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkyl-NH-alkyl, aryloxyalkyl, aryl-NH-alkyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, heterocycle-NH-alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, haloalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycle-heterocycle, and aryl-heterocycle, or R¹ and R² together with the atom to which they are attached form a heterocycle;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or R³ and R⁴ together with the atom to which they are attached form a ring selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl;

or R² and R³ together with the atoms to which they are attached form a non-aromatic heterocycle;

R⁷ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, aryloxy, hydroxy, alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocycleoxy, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, and heterocycleoxyalkyl;

R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, and heterocycleoxyalkyl, or R⁸ and R⁹ together with the atom to which they are attached form a ring selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and non-aromatic heterocycle;

R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocycleoxy, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, and —N(R²⁷R²⁸);

R¹¹ and R¹² are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, and heterocycleoxyalkyl, or R¹¹ and R¹² together with the atom to which they are attached form a ring selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and non-aromatic heterocycle;

R¹³ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocycleoxy, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, and)-N(R²⁹R³⁰);

R¹⁴ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, haloalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, and heterocycleoxyalkyl;

R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, and heterocyclesulfonyl, or R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together with the atom to which they are attached form a heterocycle;

R¹⁷ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, and heterocycleoxyalkyl;

R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, heterocycleoxy, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, and heterocyclesulfonyl, or R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ together with the atom to which they are attached form a non-aromatic heterocycle;

R²⁰, R²¹ and R²² are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, and heterocycle;

R²³ and R²⁴ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylcarbonyl, arylsulfonyl, heterocyclecarbonyl, heterocyclesulfonyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and heterocycle;

R²⁵ and R²⁶ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylcarbonyl, arylsulfonyl, heterocyclecarbonyl, heterocyclesulfonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, aryloxy, heterocycleoxy, cycloalkyl, aryl, and heterocycle, or R²⁵ and R²⁶ together with the atom to which they are attached form a heterocycle;

R²⁷ and R²⁸ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, carboxycycloalkyl, awl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, heterocycleoxy, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, and heterocyclesulfonyl, or R²⁷ and R²⁸ together with the atom to which they are attached form a non-aromatic heterocycle; and

R²⁹ and R³⁰ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, heterocycleoxy, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, and heterocyclesulfonyl, or R²⁹ and R³⁰ together with the atom to which they are attached form a non-aromatic heterocycle;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable metabolite, salt, prodrug, salt of a prodrug, or a combination thereof.

Examples of compounds of formula (I) are

-   N—[(Z)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}acetamide; -   N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}acetamide; -   N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanamide; -   2-[(cis)-2,6-dimethylmorpholin-4-yl]-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   N—[(Z)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-(4-hydroxypiperidin-1-yl)propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-(4-hydroxypiperidin-1-yl)propanamide; -   2-azepan-1-yl-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   (E)-4-[({4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}acetyl)amino]-1-adamantyl     carbamate; -   (E)-4-[(2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}acetyl)amino]-1-adamantyl     acetate; -   N-[(E)-5-(acetylamino)-2-adamantyl]-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}acetamide; -   N-[(E)-5-fluoro-2-adamantyl]-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}acetamide; -   N—[(Z)-5-fluoro-2-adamantyl]-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}acetamide; -   N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-[4-(5-methylpyridin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-methyl-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanamide; -   (E)-4-{2-methyl-2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propionylamino}-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({1-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-cyclopropanecarbonyl}-amino)-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({1-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-cyclopropanecarbonyl}-amino)-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-{2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-butyrylamino}-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-{2-cyclopropyl-2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-acetylamino}-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-({1-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-cyclobutanecarbonyl}-amino)-adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-N-(5-hydroxymethyl-adamantan-2-yl)-2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-isobutyramide; -   (E)-N-(5-formyl-adamantan-2-yl)-2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-isobutyramide; -   (E)-4-{2-methyl-2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propionylamino}-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-{2-methyl-2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propionylamino}-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid hydroxyamide; -   (E)-4-{2-[4-(5-trifluormethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-acetylamino}-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-[2-(3,3-difluoro-piperidin-1-yl)-acetylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-[2-(2-trifluoromethyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-acetylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{2-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-acetylamino}-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-[2-(2-trifluoromethyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-acetylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-[2-(3,3-difluoro-piperidin-1-yl)-acetylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-[2-(3-fluoropyrrolidin-1-yl)-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-[2-(3,3-difluoropiperidine-1-yl)-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-[2-(2-trifluoromethylpyrrolidin-1-yl)-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-{2-[4-(5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-methyl-propionylamino}-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-[2-methyl-2-(1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-benzo[d]azepin-3-yl)-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-[2-methyl-2-(4-m-tolyl-[1,4]diazepan-1-yl)-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-[2-methyl-2-(4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{2-[4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-piperidin-1-yl]-2-methyl-propionylamino}-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{2-[5-(6-chloro-pyridin-3-yl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-2-methyl-propionylamino}-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-{2-[4-(5-fluoro-pyridin-3-yl)-[1,4]diazepan-1-yl]-2-methyl-propionylamino}-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-[2-methyl-2-(3-pyridin-3-yl-3,9-diazbicyclo[4.2.1]non-9-yl)-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-[2-methyl-2-(2-trifluoromethyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-[2-(3,3-difluoro-piperidin-1-yl)-2-methyl-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-[2-(3-fluoro-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-2-methyl-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-{2-[4-(5-trifluormethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-piperazin-1-yl]-acetylamino}-adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[2-(3,3-difluoro-piperidin-1-yl)-2-methyl-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid 3,4-dimethoxy-benzylamide; -   (E)-4-[({4-[2-(3,3-difluoro-piperidin-1-yl)-2-methyl-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carbonyl}-amino)-methyl]-benzoic     acid; -   (E)-4-[2-(3,3-difluoro-piperidin-1-yl)-2-methyl-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid (furan-2-ylmethyl)-amide; -   (E)-4-[2-(3,3-difluoro-piperidin-1-yl)-2-methyl-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid (thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-amide; -   (E)-4-[2-(3,3-difluoro-piperidin-1-yl)-2-methyl-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid 2-methoxy-benzylamide; -   (E)-4-(2-methyl-2-phenylamino-propionylamino)-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-[2-methyl-2-(3-pyridin-3-yl-3,9-diazbicyclo[4.2.1]non-9-yl)-propionylamino]-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   (E)-4-{2-methyl-2-[5-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-[1,5]diazocan-1-yl]-propionylamino}-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{2-[7-(5-bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-3,7-diazbicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-yl]-2-methyl-propionylamino}-adamantane-1-carboxyamide; -   N²-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl]-N¹-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]alaninamide; -   2-(4-benzylpiperidin-1-yl)-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-(6,7,9,10-tetrahydro-8H-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g][3]benzazepin-8-yl)propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-(4-pyridin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl)propanamide; -   2-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-[4-(4-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]propanamide; -   2-[4-(5-cyanopyridin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   2-[4-(2-furoyl)piperazin-1-yl]-N-[(1R,3S)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   2-(1,3-dihydro-2H-isoindol-2-yl)-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-{4-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]piperazin-1-yl}(2S)—N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanamide; -   (2R)—N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanamide; -   2-[3-(4-chlorophenoxy)azetidin-1-yl]-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   2-[4-(2-fluorophenoxy)piperidin-1-yl]-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   2-[3-(2-fluorophenoxy)piperidin-1-yl]-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   2-[3-(3-fluorophenoxy)pyrrolidin-1-yl]-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   N²-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N¹-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-N²-methylalaninamide; -   N²-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methylethyl]-N¹-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-N²-methylalaninamide; -   2-(5-chloro-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-1-yl)-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   2-[4-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)piperazin-1-yl]-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-(3-phenylazetidin-1-yl)propanamide; -   (E)-N-methyl-4-[(2-methyl-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-N-methoxy-4-[(2-methyl-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(aminomethyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-methyl-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-1-{[4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]amino}cyclopropanecarboxamide; -   N-[(E)-5-cyano-2-adamantyl]-2-methyl-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-1-piperidin-1-ylcyclopropanecarboxamide; -   2-methyl-N-[(E)-5-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-2-adamantyl]-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanamide; -   2-methyl-N-[(E)-5-(2H-tetraazol-5-yl)-2-adamantyl]-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanamide; -   (E)-4-[(2-{4-[[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl](cyclopropyl)amino]piperidin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-methyl-2-[2-(trifluoromethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl]propanamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[(3S)-3-fluoropyrrolidin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   methyl     (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(4-pyridin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylate; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(4-pyridin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[(2S)-2-methyl-4-pyridin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(4-pyridin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   2-methyl-N-[(E)-5-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-2-adamantyl]-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}-N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-{4-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]piperazin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[(2R)-2-methyl-4-(5-methylpyridin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[(3S)-3-fluoropiperidin-1-yl]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[((2S)-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[((2R)-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[({2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}acetyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[(cyclopropyl     {4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}acetyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[(1-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}cyclobutyl)carbonyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[9-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)-3,9-diazabicyclo[4.2.1]non-3-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[4-(4-methylphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantine-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[4-(3-methylphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-{4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]piperazin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[4-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(4-pyrimidin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-{4-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]piperazin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-{4-[3-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(4-acetylphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-N,N-dimethyl-4-[(2-methyl-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(acetylamino)-2-adamantyl]-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(4-pyrimidin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(4-pyrazin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(3-cyanopyridin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[4-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-1,4-diazepan-1-yl]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[(2-{4-[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}-2-methylpropanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   4-(2-{[((E)-4-{[2-(3,3-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}-1-adamantyl)     carbonyl]amino}ethyl)benzoic acid; -   N-{(E)-5-[(methylsulfonyl)amino]-2-adamantyl}-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-methyl-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[(N,2-dimethyl-N-phenylalanyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)     adamantine-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2,3-dicyanophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(cyanomethyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-methyl-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[4-(4-nitrophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   {(E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]-1-adamantyl}acetic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(4-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-{4-[4-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(4-cyanophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(4-bromophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(5-chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2-chlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2-cyanophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[4-(2-methylphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantine-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-[(2-{4-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]piperazin-1-yl}-2-methylpropanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[(3R)-3-fluoropyrrolidin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)-N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(3-phenylpiperidin-1-yl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2-chloro-4-methylphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2-fluorophenyl)piperidin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[4-(2-methylphenyl)piperidin-1-yl]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2-furoyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2-chloro-4-cyanophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]-1-adamantyl     carbamate; -   (E)-4-[(2-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]piperazin-1-yl}-2-methylpropanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)piperidin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(4-cyano-2-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-{3-methyl-4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(4-cyanophenyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(4-cyanophenyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-N-(3-methylphenyl)alanyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   tert-butyl     4-(2-{[(E)-5-(aminocarbonyl)-2-adamantyl]amino}-1,1-dimethyl-2-oxoethyl)piperazine-1-carboxylate; -   (2R)-2-[(3R)-3-fluoropyrrolidin-1-yl]-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2-bromophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[N-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-methylalanyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylalanyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(4-cyanophenyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)-N-(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(6-chloropyrimidin-4-yl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(6-chloropyridazin-3-yl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2-chloropyrimidin-4-yl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   N-[({(E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanoyl)amino]-1-adamantyl}amino)carbonyl]glycine; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(5-cyanopyridin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantine-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(3-chloro-5-cyanopyridin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[4-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylalanyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({N-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-2-methylalanyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]alanyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]alanyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   4-(2-{[(E)-5-(aminocarbonyl)-2-adamantyl]amino}-1,1-dimethyl-2-oxoethyl)-N-(tert-butyl)piperazine-1-carboxamide;     and -   N-[(E)-5-(formylamino)-2-adamantyl]-2-methyl-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}propanamide.

Also included in the present application are selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitors that can be selected from a group of compounds having formula (II),

wherein

A¹, is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkenyl, alkyl, alkyl-NH-alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cyano, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, arylcarbonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, heterocyclesulfonyl, halogen, haloalkyl, —NR⁵—[C(R⁶R⁷)]_(n)—C(O)—R⁸, —O—[C(R⁹R¹⁰)]_(p)—C(O)—R¹¹, —OR¹², —S-alkyl, —S(O)-alkyl, —N(R¹³R¹⁴), —CO₂R¹⁵, —C(O)—N(R¹⁶R¹⁷), —C(R¹⁸R¹⁹)—OR²⁰, —C(R²¹R²²)—N(R²³R²⁴), —C(═NOH)—N(H)₂, —C(R^(18a)R^(19a))—C(O)N(R²³R²⁴), —S(O)₂—N(R²⁵R²⁶), and —C(R^(18a)R^(19a))—S(O)₂—N(R²⁵R²⁶);

R^(18a) and R^(19a) are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl;

n is 0 or 1;

p is 0 or 1;

D is a member selected from the group consisting of a —O—, —S—, —S(O)— and —S(O)₂—; E is a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, or R⁴ and E taken together with the atoms to which they are attached form a heterocycle;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocycle and heterocyclealkyl, or R³ and R⁴ taken together with the atoms to which they are attached form a ring selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and heterocycle;

R⁵ is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl and heterocycleoxyalkyl;

R⁶ and R⁷ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl, or R⁶ and R⁷ taken together with the atom to which they are attached form a ring selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and heterocycle;

R⁸ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxy, heterocycleoxyalkyl and —N(R²⁷R²⁸);

R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl, or R⁹ and R¹⁰ taken together with the atom to which they are attached form a ring selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and heterocycle;

R¹¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and —N(R²⁹R³⁰);

R¹² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl and heterocycleoxyalkyl;

R¹³ and R¹⁴ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylsulfonyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, arylsulfonyl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl and heterocyclesulfonyl;

R¹⁵ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl and heterocycleoxyalkyl;

R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylsulfonyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, arylsulfonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroarylsulfonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, heterocycleoxy, heterocyclesulfonyl, hydroxy, and -alkyl-C(O)N(R²⁰¹R²⁰²), or, R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ taken together with the atom to which they are attached form a heterocycle;

R²⁰¹ and R²⁰² are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl;

R¹⁸, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocycle and heterocyclealkyl;

R²¹ and R²² are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, aryl, arylcarbonyl, arylsulfonyl, cycloalkyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylcarbonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclecarbonyl and heterocyclesulfonyl;

R²³ and R²⁴ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxy, alkylsulfonyl, aryl, arylcarbonyl, aryloxy, arylsulfonyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylcarbonyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroarylsulfonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclecarbonyl, heterocycleoxy, heterocyclesulfonyl and hydroxy, or, R²³ and R²⁴ taken together with the atom to which they are attached form a ring selected from the group consisting of heteroaryl and heterocycle;

R²⁵ and R²⁶ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylsulfonyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, arylsulfonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroarylsulfonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, heterocycleoxy, heterocyclesulfonyl, and hydroxy, or, R²⁵ and R²⁶ taken together with the atom to which they are attached form a heterocycle;

R²⁷ and R²⁸ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylsulfonyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, arylsulfonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxy, heterocycleoxyalkyl, heterocyclesulfonyl and hydroxy, or, R²⁷ and R²⁸ taken together with the atom to which they are attached form a heterocycle; and

R²⁹ and R³⁰ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylsulfonyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, arylsulfonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxy, heterocycleoxyalkyl, heterocyclesulfonyl, and hydroxy, or, R²⁹ and R³⁰ taken together with the atom to which they are attached form a heterocycle; provided that, if R¹ is hydrogen; then at least one of A¹, A², A³ and A⁴ is not hydrogen;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable metabolite, salt, prodrug, salt of a prodrug, or a combination thereof.

Examples of compounds of formula (II) that can be used in the methods of the invention are

-   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-phenoxypropanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-{[4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]oxy}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[(2-methylcyclohexyl)oxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[(3-methylcyclohexyl)oxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(cycloheptyloxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(cyclohexylmethoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[(4-methylcyclohexyl)oxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[(2-phenoxypropanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(2-methylphenoxy)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(4-methylphenoxy)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(3-methoxyphenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-2-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-N-(5-hydroxy-adamantan-2-yl)-2-methyl-propionamide; -   (E)-{[2-methyl-2-(4-methylphenoxy)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(3-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenoxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(3-bromophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   4-({[((E)-4-{[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}-1-adamantyl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)benzoic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2,3-dimethylphenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   tert-butyl     4-(2-{[(E)-5-(aminocarbonyl)-2-adamantyl]amino}-1,1-dimethyl-2-oxoethoxy)phenylcarbamate; -   (E)-N-[4-(aminocarbonyl)benzyl]-4-{[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-N-[4-(aminocarbonyl)methyl]-4-{[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   3-({[((E)-4-{[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}-1-adamantyl)carbonyl]amino}methyl)benzoic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[(5-bromopyridin-2-yl)oxy]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2-cyanophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   ((E)-4-{[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}-1-adamantyl)acetic     acid; -   N-[(E)-5-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanamide; -   2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methyl-N-[(E)-5-(2H-tetraazol-5-ylmethyl)-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   N-{(E)-5-[(aminosulfonyl)methyl]-2-adamantyl}-2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methyl     propanamide; -   N-{(E)-5-[(Z)-amino(hydroxyimino)methyl]-2-adamantyl}-2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methyl     propanamide; -   (E)-N-[4-(aminosulfonyl)benzyl]-4-{[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}-N-(4{[(methylsulfonyl)amino]carbonyl}benzyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[(4-chlorophenyl)thio]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[(4-methoxyphenyl)thio]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide     amide; -   (E)-4-({2-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfinyl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-chloro-2-(pyrrolidin-1-ylsulfonyl)phenoxy]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenoxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[2-(methylsulfonyl)phenoxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[(2-{4-chloro-2-[(diethylamino)sulfonyl]phenoxy}-2-methylpropanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[4-(pyrrolidin-1-ylsulfonyl)phenoxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   2-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-methylpropanamide; -   2-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)-2-methyl-N-[(E)-5-(2H-tetraazol-5-yl)-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   2-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)-2-methyl-N-[(E)-5-(methylthio)-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   2-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)-2-methyl-N-[(E)-5-(methylsulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   2-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)-2-methyl-N-[(E)-5-(methylsulfinyl)-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(aminosulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanamide; -   (E)-4-({[1-(4-chlorophenoxy)cyclobutyl]carbonyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   4-[({[((E)-4-{[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}-1-adamantyl)methyl]sulfonyl}amino)methyl]benzoic     acid; -   2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-N-[(E)-5-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)-2-adamantyl]-2-methylpropanamide; -   (2E)-3-((E)-4-{[2-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}-1-adamantyl)acrylic     acid; -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-{[5-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl]oxy}propanoyl)amino]adamantine-1-carboxamide; -   2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-N-[(E)-5-isoxazol-5-yl-2-adamantyl]-2-methylpropanamide; -   2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methyl-N-{(E)-5-[(2-morpholin-4-ylethoxy)methyl]-2-adamantyl}propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(aminosulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-(2-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(aminosulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-methyl-2-(2-methylphenoxy)propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(aminosulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-methyl-2-(4-methylphenoxy)propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(aminosulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-methyl-2-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(aminosulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-methyl-2-[2-(trifluoromethoxy)phenoxy]propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(aminosulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)-2-methyl-propanamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2-chlorophenoxy)-2-methyl-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-methylpropanamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[(5-morpholin-4-ylpyridin-2-yl)oxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methyl-N-{(E)-5-[(methylamino)sulfonyl]-2-adamantyl}propanamide; -   3-((E)-4-{[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}-1-adamantyl)propanoic     acid; -   2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-N-{(E)-5-[(dimethylamino)sulfonyl]-2-adamantyl}-2-methylpropanamide; -   (E)-4-[(2-{[5-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl]oxy}-2-methylpropanoyl)amino]adamantine-1-carboxamide; -   2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methyl-N-[(E)-5-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-2-adamantyl]propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(aminosulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-(3-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(aminosulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-methyl-2-(3-methylphenoxy)propanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(aminosulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-2-methylpropanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(aminosulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-(3-methoxyphenoxy)-2-methylpropanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(aminosulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-2-methylpropanamide; -   N-[(E)-5-(aminosulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]-2-(4-cyanophenoxy)-2-methylpropanamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(2-methylphenoxy)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(3-methylphenoxy)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[(2-methyl-2-[(1S,2S)-2-methylcyclohexyl]oxy}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[(2-methylcyclohexyl)oxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide -   (E)-4-{[2-(cycloheptyloxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(cyclohexylmethoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[(3-methylcyclohexyl)oxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   4-{[({(E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-phenoxypropanoyl)amino]-1-adamantyl}carbonyl)amino]methyl}benzoic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-[(4,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)oxy]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yloxy)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-bromophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(1-naphthyloxy)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2,5-dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2,4-dimethylphenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(2-naphthyloxy)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-bromo-2-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[(7-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)oxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-bromo-2-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(1,1′-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2-bromophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-N-[4-(aminocarbonyl)benzyl]-4-[(2-methyl-2-phenoxypropanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}-N-(1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl)adamantine-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}-N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)adamantine-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-aminophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[2-(trifluoromethoxy)phenoxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[4-(pyrrolidin-1-ylsulfonyl)phenoxy]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   2-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)-N-[(E)-5-hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-methylpropanamide; -   2-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)-N-[(E)-5-cyano-2-adamantyl]-2-methylpropanamide; -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-{4-[(trifluoroacetyl)amino]phenoxy}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(3-bromo-4-methoxyphenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2,5-dibromo-4-methoxyphenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2-bromo-4-methoxyphenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}-N,N-dimethyladamantane-1-carboxamide; -   2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-N-((E)-5-{[(4-methoxy-6-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)amino]methyl}-2-adamantyl)-2-methylpropanamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-{[(tert-butylamino)carbonyl]amino}phenoxy)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   ethyl     4-(2-{[(E)-5-(aminocarbonyl)-2-adamantyl]amino}-1,1-dimethyl-2-oxoethoxy)phenylcarbamate; -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-{4-[(propylsulfonyl)amino]phenoxy}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[(2-{4-[(3,3-dimethylbutanoyl)amino]phenoxyl}-2-methylpropanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(phenylsulfinyl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(phenylsulfonyl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   N-[(E)-5-cyano-2-adamantyl]-2-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-methylpropanamide; -   2-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-methyl-N-[(E)-5-(2H-tetraazol-5-yl)-2-adamantyl]propanamide;     and -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(benzyloxy)phenoxy]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide.

Also included in the present application are selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitors selected from a group of compounds having formula (III),

wherein

A¹, is selected from the group consisting of alkyl-NH-alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylcarbonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heterocyclecarbonyl, heterocyclesulfonyl, aryl¹, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, haloalkyl, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, —S(O)₂—N(R⁵R⁶), —NR⁷—[C(R⁸R⁹)]_(n)—C(O)—R¹⁰, —O—[C(R¹¹R¹²)]_(p)—C(O)—R¹³, OR^(14a), —N(R¹⁵R¹⁶), —CO₂R¹⁷, —C(O)—N(R¹⁸R¹⁹), —C(R²⁰R²¹)—OR²², —C(R²³R²⁴)—N(R²⁵R²⁶), and heterocycle, with the exception that 5 membered heterocycles may not contain two oxygen atoms,

n is 0 or 1;

p is 0 or 1;

E is selected from the group consisting of a cycloalkyl, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl and heterocycle, wherein the heteroaryl and the heterocycle are appended to the parent molecular moiety through an available carbon atom, or R⁴ and E together with the atoms to which they are attached form a ring selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and heterocycle;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocycle and heterocyclealkyl, or R³ and R⁴ together with the atom to which they are attached form a ring selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and heterocycle; R⁵ and R⁶ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkoxy, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylsulfonyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkylcarbonyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocyclealkylcarbonyl, heterocyclecarbonyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, heterocycleoxy, heterocyclesulfonyl and hydroxy, or R⁵ and R⁶ together with the atom to which they are attached form a heterocycle;

R⁷ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl and heterocycleoxyalkyl;

R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl, or R⁸ and R⁹ taken together with the atom to which they are attached form a ring selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and heterocycle;

R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxy, heterocycleoxyalkyl and —N(R³²R³³);

R¹¹ and R¹² are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl or R¹¹ and R¹² taken together with the atom to which they are attached form a ring selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and heterocycle;

R¹³ is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and —N(R³⁴R³⁵);

R^(14a) is selected from the group consisting of carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl and heterocycleoxyalkyl;

R^(14b) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl and heterocycleoxyalkyl;

R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkylcarbonyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocyclealkylcarbonyl, heterocyclecarbonyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, heterocyclesulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl and arylsulfonyl, or R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together with the atom to which they are attached form a heterocycle;

R¹⁷ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl and heterocycleoxyalkyl;

R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkoxy, alkyl, alkylsulfonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylsulfonyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, heterocycleoxy, heterocyclesulfonyl and hydroxy, or R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ together with the atom to which they are attached form a heterocycle;

R²⁰, R²¹ and R²² are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocycle and heterocyclealkyl;

R²³ and R²⁴ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, aryl, arylcarbonyl, arylsulfonyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylcarbonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclecarbonyl and heterocyclesulfonyl;

R²⁵ and R²⁶ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkoxy, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, aryl, arylcarbonyl, aryloxy, arylsulfonyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxycycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylsulfonyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylcarbonyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroarylsulfonyl, heterocycle, heterocyclecarbonyl, heterocycleoxy, heterocyclesulfonyl and hydroxy, or R²⁵ and R²⁶ together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a ring selected from the group consisting of heteroaryl and heterocycle; R³² and R³³ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, carboxycycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, heterocycleoxy, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, and heterocyclesulfonyl, or R³² and R³³ together with the atom to which they are attached form a heterocycle;

R³⁴ and R³⁵ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, carboxycycloalkyl, awl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heterocycle, heterocyclealkyl, heterocycleoxyalkyl, heterocycleoxy, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, and heterocyclesulfonyl, or R³⁴ and R³⁵ together with the atom to which they are attached form a heterocycle; and

R³⁶ and R³⁷ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl and aryl;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable metabolite, salt, prodrug, salt of a prodrug, or a combination thereof.

Examples of compounds of formula (III) that are useful for the methods disclosed in the present application are

-   (E)-4-{[1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclobutanecarbonyl]-amino}-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-[(1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarbonyl)-amino]-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-(2-methyl-2-phenyl-propionylamino)-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid; -   (E)-4-{[1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-cyclobutanecarbonyl]-amino}-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid amide; -   (E)-4-[(1-phenyl-cyclopropanecarbonyl)-amino]-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid amide; -   (E)-4-(2-methyl-2-phenyl-propionylamino)-adamantane-1-carboxylic     acid amide; -   (E)-4-({[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclohexyl]carbonyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopropyl]carbonyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopentyl]carbonyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[(1-phenylcyclopentyl)carbonyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({[1-(3-fluorophenyl)cyclopentyl]carbonyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({[1-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)cyclopentyl]carbonyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({[1-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopentyl]carbonyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({[1-(2-fluorophenyl)cyclopentyl]carbonyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[(1-methylcyclohexyl)carbonyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({[1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)cyclopropyl]carbonyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({[1-(4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopropyl]carbonyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({[1-(4-methylphenyl)cyclopropyl]carbonyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(4-pyridin-4-ylphenyl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-thien-2-ylpropanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-thien-3-ylpropanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2yl]phenyl}propanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({[1-(4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopentyl]carbonyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-bromophenyl)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[5-(aminocarbonyl)-2-adamantyl]-3-methyl-1-(2-methylbenzyl)-2-oxopiperidine-3-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-(aminocarbonyl)-2-adamantyl]-1-benzyl-3-methyl-2-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-(aminocarbonyl)-2-adamantyl]-3-methyl-1-(2-methylbenzyl)-2-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-(aminocarbonyl)-2-adamantyl]-1-(2-chlorobenzyl)-3-methyl-2-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-(aminocarbonyl)-2-adamantyl]-1-(3-chlorobenzyl)-3-methyl-2-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)phenyl]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(3-bromophenyl)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-({2-[4-(3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]-2-methylpropanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(4-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   4-{[{(E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-thien-2-ylpropanoyl)amino]-1-adamantyl}carbonyl)amino]methyl}benzoic     acid; -   (E)-4-({2-methyl-2-[4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)phenyl]propanoyl}amino)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-(aminocarbonyl)-2-adamantyl]-3-methyl-1-(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)-2-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-(aminocarbonyl)-2-adamantyl]-3-methyl-2-oxo-1-[(1R)-1-phenylethyl]pyrrolidine-3-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-(aminocarbonyl)-2-adamantyl]-3-methyl-2-oxo-1-[(1S)-1-phenylethyl]pyrrolidine-3-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-(aminocarbonyl)-2-adamantyl]-1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-methylpiperidine-3-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-(aminocarbonyl)-2-adamantyl]-1-benzyl-3-methyl-2-oxopiperidine-3-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenyl)propanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(1-benzothien-3-yl)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-{[2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-2-methylpropanoyl]amino}adamantane-1-carboxamide;     and -   (E)-4-[(2-methyl-2-quinoxalin-2-ylpropanoyl)amino]adamantane-1-carboxamide.

The present application also comprises selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitors selected from a group of compounds having formula (IV),

wherein

n is 1 or 2;

R¹ is cycloalkyl or heterocycle, each of which is independently unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, Cl, Br, F, I, —CN, —NO₂, —OR_(b), —SR_(b), —S(O)R_(Z), —S(O)₂R_(Z), —NR_(a)R_(b), —C(O)R_(b), —C(O)OR_(b), —C(O)NR_(a)R_(b), —S(O)₂NR_(a)R_(b), —C(═NOH)NH₂, —C(═NH)NH₂, R_(c), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—CN, —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—OR_(b), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—SR_(b), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)₂R_(Z), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—NR_(a)R_(b), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)R_(b), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)OR_(b), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)₂NR_(a)R_(b), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—R_(e), —N(R_(a))—(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)R_(b), —N(R_(a))—(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)OR_(b), —N(R_(a))—(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)NR_(a)R_(b), —O—(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)R_(b), —O—(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)OR_(b), and —O—(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)NR_(a)R_(b);

R² and R³, at each occurrence, are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, R_(c) or —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—R_(c) or R² and R³ taken together with the atoms to which they are attached form a cycloalkyl;

R⁴ is -E-G or —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)-E-G, wherein E, at each occurrence, is independently O, S, S(O), S(O)₂, N(R_(e)), or a bond and G, at each occurrence, is independently alkyl, haloalkyl, —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—OR_(d), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)OR_(d), —R_(A), or —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—R_(A), wherein R_(A), at each occurrence, is independently selected from the group consisting of aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle, and each R_(A) is independently unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, Cl, Br, F, I, —CN, —NO₂, —OR_(d), —S(R_(d)), —S(O)(alkyl), —S(O)(haloalkyl), —S(O)₂(alkyl), —S(O)₂(haloalkyl), —NR_(d)R_(e), —C(O)(R_(d)), —C(O)OR_(d), —C(O)NR_(d)R_(e), —S(O)₂NR_(d)R_(e), R_(c), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—CN, —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—NO₂, —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—OR_(d), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(R_(d)), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)(alkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)(haloalkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)₂(alkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e)), —S(O)₂(haloalkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e)), —NR_(d)R_(e), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)(R_(d)), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)OR_(d), —(CR_(d)R_(e)), —C(O)NR_(d)R_(e), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)₂NR_(d)R_(e), and —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—R_(e);

R_(a), at each occurrence, is independently hydrogen or alkyl;

R_(b), at each occurrence, is independently hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, R_(c) or —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—R_(c);

R_(Z), at each occurrence, is independently alkyl, haloalkyl, R_(c) or —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—R_(c);

R_(c), at each occurrence, is independently aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycle; wherein each R_(c) is independently unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, Cl, Br, F, I, —CN, —NO₂, —OR_(d), —S(R_(d)), —S(O)(alkyl), —S(O)(haloalkyl), —S(O)₂(alkyl), —S(O)₂(haloalkyl), —NR_(d)R_(e), —C(O)(R_(d)), —C(O)OR_(d), —C(O)NR_(d)R_(e), —S(O)₂NR_(d)R_(e), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—CN, —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—NO₂, —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—OR_(d), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(R_(d)), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)(alkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)(haloalkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e)), —S(O)₂(alkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e)), —S(O)₂(haloalkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—NR_(d)R_(e), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)(R_(d)), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)OR_(d), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)NR_(d)R_(e), and —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)₂NR_(d)R_(e);

R_(d) and R_(e), at each occurrence, are independently hydrogen, alkyl or haloalkyl; and

m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable metabolite, salt, prodrug, salt of a prodrug, or a combination thereof.

Examples of compounds of formula (IV) that are comprised in the present invention are

-   6-[(1-cycloheptyl-4,4-dimethyl-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)methoxy]nicotinonitrile; -   4-(4-{[(5-cyanopyridin-2-yl)oxy]methyl}-3,3-dimethyl-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)azepane-1-carboxamide; -   1-cycloheptyl-3,3-dimethyl-4-(phenoxymethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one; -   1-cycloheptyl-4-{[(2-fluorophenyl)(methyl)amino]methyl}-3,3-dimethylpyrrolidin-2-one; -   6-{[1-(5-hydroxycyclooctyl)-4,4-dimethyl-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl]methoxy}nicotinonitrile; -   (E)-4-(4-[(5-cyanopyridin-2-yl)oxy]methyl-3,3-dimethyl-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)adamantine-1-carboxamide; -   9-(4-{[(5-cyanopyridin-2-yl)oxy]methyl}-3,3-dimethyl-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)bicycle[3.3.1]nonane-3-carboxamide; -   trans     ethyl(1R,7S)-4-(4-{[(5-cyanopyridin-2-yl)oxy]methyl}-3,3-dimethyl-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)bicyclo[5.1.0]octane-8-carboxylate -   trans     ethyl(1S,7R)-4-(4-{[(5-cyanopyridin-2-yl)oxy]methyl}-3,3-dimethyl-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)bicyclo[5.1.0]octane-8-carboxylate; -   6-{[4,4-dimethyl-1-(4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-1-yl)-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl]methoxy}nicotinonitrile; -   6-{[1-(5-cyanocyclooctyl)-4,4-dimethyl-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl]methoxy}nicotinonitrile; -   (E)-4-(4-{[(5-cyanopyridin-2-yl)oxy]methyl}-3,3-dimethyl-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)adamantane-1-carbonitrile; -   (E)-4-(3,3-dimethyl-2-oxo-4-{[4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenoxy]methyl}pyrrolidin-1-yl)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-(4-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenoxy]methyl-3,3-dimethyl-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)adamantane-1-carboxamide; -   (E)-4-[3,3-dimethyl-2-oxo-4-({[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]oxy}methyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl]-N′-hydroxyadamantane-1-carboximidamide; -   (E)-4-[3,3-dimethyl-2-oxo-4-({[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]oxy}methyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl]adamantane-1-carboxamide;     and -   (E)-4-[3,3-dimethyl-2-oxo-4-({[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]oxy}methyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl]adamantane-1-carboximidamide.

Compounds including geometric isomers of carbon-carbon double bonds and carbon-nitrogen double are included in the present invention. Substituents around a carbon-carbon or a carbon-nitrogen double bond are designated as being of Z or E configuration and substituents around a cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl are designated as being of cis or trans configuration. Furthermore, substituents around an adamantane ring system are designated as being of Z or E relative configuration. For examples, see C. D. Jones, M. Kaselj, R. N. Salvatore, W. J. le Noble J. Org. Chem. Vol. 63 pages 2758-2760, 1998. All geometric isomeric forms and mixtures thereof of the compounds described herein are encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

Asymmetric centers exist in the present compounds. Individual stereoisomers of the compounds are prepared by synthesis from chiral starting materials or by preparation of racemic mixtures and separation by conversion to a mixture of diastereomers followed by separation or recrystallization, chromatographic techniques, or direct separation of the enantiomers on chiral chromatographic columns. Starting materials of particular stereochemistry are either commercially available or are made by the methods described herein and resolved by techniques well known in the art.

Compounds of this invention include at least one chiral center and can exist as single stereoisomers (e.g. single enantiomer), mixtures of stereoisomers (e.g. any mixture of enantiomers or diastereomers) or racemic mixtures thereof. As a result, all stereoisomers of the compounds of the invention are included in the present invention, including racemic mixtures, mixtures of diastereomers, mixtures of enantiomers, as well as individual optical isomers, including, enantiomers and single diastereomers of the compounds of the invention substantially free from their enantiomers or other diastereomers. By “substantially free” is meant greater than about 80% free of other enantiomers or diastereomers of the compound, more preferably greater than about 90% free of other enantiomers or diastereomers of the compound, even more preferably greater than about 95% free of other enantiomers or diastereomers of the compound, even more highly preferably greater than about 98% free of other enantiomers or diastereomers of the compound and most preferably greater than about 99% free of other enantiomers or diastereomers of the compound. Where the stereochemistry of the chiral centers present in the chemical structures illustrated herein is not specified, the chemical structure is intended to encompass compounds including either stereoisomer of each chiral center present in the compound.

Disorders that can be treated or prevented in a patient by administering to the patient, a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of the present invention in such an amount and for such time as is necessary to achieve the desired result.

The total daily dose of the compounds of the present invention necessary to inhibit the action of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Type 1 enzyme in single or divided doses can be in amounts, for example, from about 0.01 to 50 mg/kg body weight. In a more preferred range, compounds of the present invention inhibit the action of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Type 1 enzyme in a single or divided doses from about 0.05 to 25 mg/kg body weight. Single dose compositions can contain such amounts or submultiple doses thereof of the compounds of the present invention to make up the daily dose. In general, treatment regimens include administration to a patient in need of such treatment from about 1 mg to about 1000 mg of the compounds per day in single or multiple doses.

The present invention will be further clarified by the following examples, which are only intended to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Example 1 Selective 11β-HSD1 Inhibitors Enhance Memory Consolidation in Mice after 2-Week Food-in-Diet Dosing

Episodic memory is a type of long-term memory that requires one exposure for memory formation to occur. Patients with Alzheimer's disease suffer from episodic memory dysfunction, among other cognitive deficits. In addition, studies indicate that patients with a genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease have early deficits in episodic memory and executive function (Ringman, J. Geriatr. Psychiatry Neurology, 2005, 18:228-233).

The 24-hour inhibitory avoidance task in mice is a measure of one-trial learning and memory consolidation in response to a discrete aversive event (foot-shock). Mice are first placed in an illuminated compartment of a two-compartment apparatus. Mice will naturally step through into an adjoining dark compartment, which they prefer. When the mice enter the dark they receive a mild foot-shock. To assess memory, mice are tested 24 hours later and the length of time the animal refrains from entering the dark compartment is recorded (higher latencies indicate improved memory for the aversive event).

Male CD-1 mice were obtained from Charles River, Wilmington, Mass. Mice were group-housed 10 per cage. The body weight upon arrival was 20-25 g. Food and water were available ad libitum except during experiments. Animals were acclimated to the animal facilities for a period of at least one week prior to commencement of experiments. Animals were tested in the light phase of a 12-hour light: 12-hour dark schedule (lights on 0600 hours).

Compound A ([2-(2-Chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)-2-methyl-N-[(E)-5-(methylsulfonyl)-2-adamantyl]propanamide]) was synthesized at Abbott Laboratories. Compound A was administered via a drug-in-diet administration (100 mg/kg/day in Western diet) or (10 mg/kg/day in Western diet).

On the first day of testing (17 days after drug-in-diet was presented) mice were removed from the colony room in their home cage, brought to the testing room, and left undisturbed for 2 hours prior to testing initiation. Following this habituation period, drug-in-diet mice were tested. Upon testing initiation, mice were placed one at a time into the light (safe) compartment of a two-chambered apparatus (Gemini apparatus, San Diego Instruments, San Diego, Calif.), during which time the retractable door was closed. After 30 sec at the completion of the acclimation period the door between the light and dark compartments was opened. Measurement of the training latency commenced at this point. This measure (training) provides some indication of general locomotor activity. If a mouse has not crossed within 60 s the animal's data is excluded from the analysis. After the mouse crossed into the dark chamber the door was lowered and inescapable footshock (0.13 mA, 1 sec duration) was presented to the mouse after it completely entered the chamber and the door closed. The mouse was immediately removed from the chamber and returned to the home cage. 24-hours later the mouse was tested using methods identical to those on the training day, except without being dosed and without shock presentation. The latency to enter the dark chamber was recorded and was the dependent variable measured for assessing memory retention (latency is defined as entry of the whole mouse; all 4 paws on the grids in the dark side, plus the tail in the chamber for 5 sec; 180 sec is maximum latency). Data were analyzed using Mann Whitney U comparisons. P<0.05 was regarded as significant. As illustrated in FIG. 1, there was a significant improvement in memory retention following the administration of Compound A at both doses compared to the response of vehicle control mice.

Example 2 A Selective 11β-HSD1 Inhibitor Enhances Phosphorylated CREB, a Biochemical Marker of Cognitive Enhancement, in Mice after 2-Week Food-in-Diet Dosing

In vivo signaling studies were conducted to examine the biochemical pathways that may be mechanistically involved in the cognitive efficacy associated with Compound A. An important signaling process that serves as a biochemical correlate of synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory is the phosphorylation of CREB (c-AMP-response element binding protein), a transcription factor critical to long-term memory. To investigate the effects of Compound A on CREB phosphorylation, CD1 mice treated and tested (data presented in FIG. 1) were given a 24-hour rest after testing before immunohistochemical procedures commenced.

Male CD-1 mice were obtained from Charles River, Wilmington, Mass. Mice were group-housed 10 per cage. The body weight upon arrival was 20-25 g. Food and water were available ad libitum except during experiments. Animals were acclimated to the animal facilities for a period of at least one week prior to commencement of experiments. Animals were tested in the light phase of a 12-hour light: 12-hour dark schedule (lights on 0600 hours).

Compound A was administered via a drug-in-diet administration (100 mg/kg/day in Western diet) or (10 mg/kg/day in Western diet). 18-days after receiving Compound A food-in-diet (10 and 100 mg/kg/day) rats were anesthetized and perfused through the aorta with normal saline followed by 10% formalin. Following perfusion, brains were removed and postfixed in 20% sucrose-PBS (phosphate buffered saline) overnight and subsequently cut on a cryostat (40 μm coronal sections) and collected as free-floating sections in PBS. Sections were then immunostained for Fos protein using a 3-step ABC-peroxidase technique beginning with a 30-min incubation with blocking serum. Sections were next incubated with anti-phsopho-CREB (rabbit IgG, 1:1000, Cell signaling) antibodies for 48 hrs at 4 degrees C., washed with PBS and incubated for 1-hr with either biotinylated secondary anti-sheep or anti-mouse antibody (Ab) solution (1:200). Finally, sections were washed in PBS, incubated with ABC reagent (Vector) and then developed in a peroxidase substrate solution. The sections were mounted, coverslipped and examined and photographed with a light microscope (Leica, DMRB). Immuno-reactivity (IR) was quantified using an image analysis system (Leica, Quantimet 500) that determined number and/or area of peroxidase substrate-positive stained neurons from digitized photomicrographs according to a pixel gray level empirically determined prior to analysis. Overall statistical significance was determined using a one-way ANOVA, with Dunnett's post hoc analyses used to determine significance (p<0.05 was considered significant). FIG. 2 shows the increase in phosphorylated CREB following the administration of Compound A mg/kg/day.

Example 3 Selective 11β-HSD1 Inhibitors Enhance Memory Consolidation in Mice after Subchronic Dosing

The 24-hour inhibitory avoidance model in mice was used to evaluate the effects of Compound A and Compound B ([N-{(E)-5-[(Z)-Amino(hydroxyimino)methyl]-2-adamantyl}-2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropanamide]) following a subchronic (3 administration) dosing regimen.

Male CD-1 mice were obtained from Charles River, Wilmington, Mass. Mice were group-housed 10 per cage. The body weight upon arrival was 20-25 g. Food and water were available ad libitum except during experiments. Animals were acclimated to the animal facilities for a period of at least one week prior to commencement of experiments. Animals were tested in the light phase of a 12-hour light: 12-hour dark schedule (lights on 0600 hours).

Compound A and Compound B were synthesized at Abbott Laboratories. Compounds A and B were solubilized in a solution of 5% Tween80/water. Compound A was administered in a cloudy, fine suspension, while Compound B was administered in a solution.

Mice were weighed and dosed BID (≈8 AM and 3 PM) PO with Copound A (30 mg/kg), or Compound B (30 mg/kg) or vehicle the day before training. On training day, mice were injected with Compound A, Compound B or vehicle one-hour PO before training. One hour following injection (start of training) mice were subjected to a training session in which they were placed in a lighted compartment of a two-compartment chamber (Gemini apparatus, San Diego Instruments, San Diego, Calif.) with a manually operated gate separating the compartments. Following a 30 second habituation period in the lighted compartment, the door to the adjacent dark compartment was opened. Once the mouse had completely transferred, the door was closed and a 0.13 mA current was applied to the grid floor for 1 s. The mouse was then immediately removed and returned to the home cage. Twenty-four hours later mice were again tested in the same apparatus, except without shock, and the transfer latency from the lighted to the dark compartment recorded and used as an index of memory for the punished response 24 hours earlier. The electric shock parameters of this test were established such that vehicle treated mice would only have minimal retention of the conditioning trial, thus allowing a large window for improvement of the memory following drug treatment. Data were analyzed using Mann Whitney U comparisons. P<0.05 was regarded as significant.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, there was a significant improvement in memory retention following the administration of both Compounds A and B compared to the response of vehicle control mice.

Example 4 A Selective 11β-HSD1 Inhibitor Enhances Short-Term Memory in Rats after Subchronic Dosing

Social memory and social cognition are impaired in disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. One of the more commonly used preclinical models of social recognition memory is short-term social recognition in the rat, a model of short-term memory based on the recognition of a juvenile rat by an adult rat. When adult rats are allowed to interact with a juvenile rat for 5 min, the adult exhibits behaviors such as close following, grooming or sniffing the juvenile for as much as 40-50% of the duration of a 5 min trial. The juvenile rat is then removed and reintroduced 120 min later, and interactive behavior of the adult rat is again monitored. If memory has been lost over the interval between trials 1 and 2, the extent of interaction is equal (expressed as a ratio of investigation time of T1/T2) and the ratio will be close to 1. However, if the adult remembers the juvenile, the investigation ratio declines. To test for non-specific effects, a novel juvenile is introduced at 120 minutes instead of the familiar juvenile. If the ratio is less than 1, this indicates the drug is having effects that may not be specific to cognition.

Male Sprague Dawley rats from Charles Rivers (Portage, Mich., USA) were used. Adults weighed 370-500 g, and juveniles weighed 70-120 g at the time of testing. All animals were housed in a quiet room under conditions of 12 h lights on/12 h lights off (on at 06:00 am) in groups of four with food and water available ad libitum. Studies were conducted between 08:00 h and 16:00 h, and treatment groups were arranged for equal representation of time of day. Compound C ([N-[(E)-5-Hydroxy-2-adamantyl]-2-{4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}acetamide], 30 mg/kg) was dissolved in PEG 400 using a warm sonicator bath. Compound was administered in solution in a volume of 1 mL/1 g body weight, p.o.

Rats were pre-dosed po at 24, 18 and 1 hour before first juvenile rat exposure with vehicle, or Compound C (30 mg/kg). During testing, the adult rat was placed into the test cage. After 30 min, a juvenile rat was placed into the test cage with the adult rat for 5 min. The time the adult spent exploring (sniffing, grooming, close following) the juvenile during this test session was recorded, and defined as the first investigation duration. The juvenile was then removed from the test cage, and placed into its borne cage. Following a further 90 min, the adult was placed back into the same test chamber, for a second 30-min habituation. Following this second habituation the same juvenile (familiar) was again placed into the test cage for a 5-min test session; the time spent exploring the juvenile during this test session was defined as the second investigation duration. Vehicle treated rats do not remember the familiar juvenile following this two hr delay. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance. If there was a significant effect, subsequent post hoc significance was determined using Dunnett's multiple comparison testing (p<0.05 was regarded as significant).

As shown in FIG. 4, there was a significant improvement in short-term memory retention following the administration of Compound C compared to the response of vehicle control rats.

Example 5 Effects of 11βHSD-1 Inhibitor on Rat Wake EEG Power Spektrum and REM Sleep Parameter

EEG of Fisher rats (n=8/group) with chronically implanted supracortical EEG-electrodes were analyzed for an 8 h period. Intraindividual drug-induced changes of power spectra were analyzed. For REM sleep the number of REM episodes, latency to first REM, and total REM time was analyzed. Compound C (30 mg/kg; 3 times at 24, 26, and 0.1 hours before measurement) significantly reduced the number of REM sleep episodes by 16% (total sleep time by 10%); the corresponding REM time was reduced by 23%. The latency to first REM significantly increased by 62% (See FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 5 c, respectively).

The observed effects on REM were in line with the effects of antidepressants like SSRIs and TCAs. These effects differ from the procognitive effects induced by inhibitors of ACh-esteras like donepezil and physostigmine.

Example 6 Modulation of Cortical/Hippocampal Acetylcholine Serotonin Release by 11β-HSD1 Inhibition

Microdialysis studies (resting or challenging conditions) in freely moving, male Sprague Dawley rats (Janvier, 295-315 g, n=5-8/treatment group) were performed using stereotactically instrumented microdialysis probes (CMA/12-14-2): mPFC, hippocampus. Aliquots of the same microdialysate fractions (6 before, and 9-12 after compound administration) were analyzed either for acetylcholine or for serotonin by HPLC and electrochemical detection.

Microdialysate Acetylcholine Levels

Acute, single administration of Compound C (30 mg/kg, p.o.) did not change ACh release under resting conditions. Challenging conditions as the transfer from home cage to novel cage, and back to home cage resulted in stimulation of ACh release (see FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 6 c). Single administration of Compound C did not induce any further stimulation of ACh release, neither in the cortex nor in the hippocampus.

B. Microdialysate Serotonin Levels

Single administration of Compound C (30 mg/kg, p.o.) resulted in a long-lasting increase of serotonin (5-HT) levels in the medial prefrontal cortex and in the hippocampus. This is a feature shared by marketed anti-depressive drugs and might indicate the potential use for 11β-HSD1 inhibitors as antidepressants/anxiolytic drugs. These findings remain to be confirmed by (i) investigating 11β-HSD1 inhibitors from different chemotype(s) in selected microdialysis studies and/or (ii) in animal models of depression/anxiety. Additionally, these results differentiate 11β-HSD-1 inhibition from acetylcholine esterase inhibition, the current therapeutic principle for symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (IV)

wherein: n is 2; R¹ is

each of which is independently unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, Cl, Br, F, I, —CN, —NO₂, —OR_(b), —SR_(b), —S(O)R_(Z), —S(O)₂R_(Z), —NR_(a)R_(b), —C(O)R_(b), —C(O)OR_(b), —C(O)NR_(a)R_(b), —S(O)₂NR_(a)R_(b), —C(═NOH)NH₂, —C(═NH)NH₂, —R_(c), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—CN, —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—OR_(b), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—SR_(b), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)₂R_(Z), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—NR_(a)R_(b), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)R_(b), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)OR_(b), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)₂NR_(a)R_(b), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—R_(e), —N(R_(a))—(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)R_(b), —N(R_(a))—(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)OR_(b), —N(R_(a))—(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)NR_(a)R_(b), —O—(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)R_(b), —O—(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)OR_(b), and —O—(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)NR_(a)R_(b); R² and R³, at each occurrence, are each independently hydrogen or alkyl, R⁴ is —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)-E-G, wherein E, at each occurrence, is independently O, or N(R_(e)), and G, at each occurrence, is independently phenyl or pyridinyl, wherein each G is idenpendently unsubstituted or substituted with 1, or 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, Cl, Br, F, I, —CN, —NO₂, —OR_(d), —S(R_(d)), —S(O)(alkyl), —S(O)(haloalkyl), —S(O)₂(alkyl), —S(O)₂(haloalkyl), —NR_(d)R_(e), —C(O)(R_(d)), —C(O)OR_(d), —C(O)NR_(d)R_(e), —S(O)₂NR_(d)R_(e), R_(c), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—CN, —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—NO₂, —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—OR_(d), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(R_(d)), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)(alkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)(haloalkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)₂(alkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e)), —S(O)₂(haloalkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e)), —NR_(d)R_(e), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)(R_(d)), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)OR_(d), —(CR_(d)R_(e)), —C(O)NR_(d)R_(e), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)₂NR_(d)R_(e), and —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—R_(e); R_(a), at each occurrence, is independently hydrogen or alkyl; R_(b), at each occurrence, is independently hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, R_(c) or —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—R_(c); R_(Z), at each occurrence, is independently alkyl, haloalkyl, R_(c) or —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—R_(c); R_(c) at each occurrence, is independently aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycle; wherein each R_(c) is independently unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, Cl, Br, F, I, —CN, —NO₂, —OR_(d), —S(R_(d)), —S(O)(alkyl), —S(O)(haloalkyl), —S(O)₂(alkyl), —S(O)₂(haloalkyl), —NR_(d)R_(e), —C(O)(R_(d)), —C(O)OR_(d), —C(O)NR_(d)R_(e), —S(O)₂NR_(d)R_(e), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—CN, —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—NO₂, —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—OR_(d), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(R_(d)), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)(alkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)(haloalkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e)), —S(O)₂(alkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e)), —S(O)₂(haloalkyl), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—NR_(d)R_(e), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)(R_(d)), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)OR_(d), —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—C(O)NR_(d)R_(e), and —(CR_(d)R_(e))_(m)—S(O)₂NR_(d)R_(e); R_(d) and R_(e), at each occurrence, are independently hydrogen or alkyl; and m is 1; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to treat a disorder of the central nervous system wherein an inhibitor of the 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Type 1 enzyme activity is of therapeutic benefit; wherein the disorder is selected from the group comprising decline in cognitive function in Alzheimer's and associated dementias, cognitive deficits associated with aging and neurodegeneration, dementia, senile dementia, AIDS dementia, major depressive disorder, psychotic depression, treatment resistant depression, anxiety, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, depression in Cushing's syndrome, steroid-induced acute psychosis, cognitive deficits associated with diabetes, attention deficit disorder in general, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mild cognitive impairment, and schizophrenia. 